Much has been written about how people should take care of their pets-but here is a fascinating, documented account of how pets can and do take care of people. Noted actress and animal lover Betty White draws on personal experience and the studies of leading authorities to show how science has confirmed what pet owners have known instinctively all along-that pets contribute to the health and well-being of their owners.

Long Synopsis:

Much has been written about how people should take care of their pets-but here is a fascinating, documented account of how pets can and do take care of people. Noted actress and animal lover Betty White draws on personal experience and the studies of leading authorities to show how science has confirmed what pet owners have known instinctively all along-that pets contribute to the health and well-being of their owners.
Pet-love-"the human/companion animal bond" -is a mutually rewarding relationship. In the past few years, scientific research has not only explained why and how but also greatly extended the possibilities for its use. For instance, "pet therapy" or "pet-facilitated therapy" is currently being used to treat the mentally ill, revitalize the elderly, and motivate the handicapped. This book describes some remarkable case histories.
There are new insights now into the attitudes and feelings that humans have toward their pets and therefore new insights into what pets do for us. Many animals give owners who live alone a feeling of security. Walking a dog provides exercise for people who might otherwise never get out of the house. The companionship of pets dramatically reduces feelings of isolation and loneliness. Perhaps most important, pets provoke a strong caring response in their owners. Pets reduce stress, may
lower a person's blood pressure,
and in other ways can actually improve health and prolong life.
Pet-Love is an entertaining book as well as a serious one-just as pets are themselves entertaining. Betty White tells many stories of her own experiences with animals and those of celebrity pet owners such as Carol Burnett, Jimmy Stewart, Mary Tyler Moore, Fred Astaire, and Loretta Swit. It is wonderful to read about the intelligence of Hearing Ear dogs who help their deaf owners cope with life, or how family pets can aid the learning process in children, and how pets can give everyone the happiness of experiencing their un questioning affection.